Hail Merry, maker of granolas, flavored nuts and macaroons, this week won VegNews' "Best of Show" title at Natural Products Expo West, considered the top trade show for natural and organic products. The magazine has previously bestowed the honor on Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter and heavyweight Amy's Gluten-Free Mac'n'Cheeze: The selection of Hail Merry's Chocolate Raw Almond Butter Miracle Tart, made with cold-pressed coconut oil, suggests the vegan judges might have a weakness for dairy flavors.

The prize represents a significant achievement for a proudly female-owned company that didn't exist three years ago.